Packaging machine and process for producing individually evacuated and/or gas treated packs

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a packaging machine ( 1 ) in which a material web is transported cyclically, having: a thermoforming station ( 2 ), which, during each cycle, forms a pattern of a plurality of pack cavities in the material web, —a filling station ( 7 ) in which an article is introduced into each pack cavity, —a sealing station ( 19 ), which fastens an upper material web integrally on the material web, wherein, prior to the integral connection being made, the pack cavity has gas evacuated from it and/or admitted to it, and—a cutting device ( 27 ), by means of which the packs produced in this way are separated from the material webs. The present invention further relates to a method for producing a pack, in the case of which a material web is transported cyclically along a packaging machine and, during each cycle, a pattern of a plurality of pack cavities is formed in the material web, the pack cavities are then filled with an article and then an upper material web is sealed onto the pack cavities, wherein, prior to the sealing operation, the pack cavities have gas evacuated from them and/or gas exchange is carried out.

The present invention relates to a packaging machine, in which a material web is transported cyclically, comprising

-   -   a thermoforming station, which, during each cycle, forms a         pattern of a plurality of packaging wells in the material web,     -   a filling station, in which a product to be packaged is filled         into each packaging well,     -   a sealing station, which integrally bonds an upper material web         to the material web, wherein, prior to the integral bond being         made, the packaging well is degassed and/or gassed, and     -   a cutting device, which separates the packagings thus produced         from the material webs.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing a packaging, in which a material web is transported cyclically along a packaging machine and, during each cycle, a pattern of a plurality of packaging wells is formed in the material web, the packaging wells are then filled with a product to be packaged, and an upper material web is then sealed onto the packaging well, wherein, prior to the sealing operation, the packaging well is degassed and/or a gas exchange is carried out.

The generic packaging machine and the generic method are known from the prior art. Nowadays, ever-increasing demands with regard to quality are placed on packaging machines and methods of this type. At the same time, the respective packagings have to be produced in an increasingly more favorable manner.

The object of the present invention was therefore to improve existing packaging machines and methods and/or to be able to produce packagings more favorably.

The object is achieved by a packaging machine, in which a material web is transported cyclically, comprising:

-   -   a thermoforming station, which, during each cycle, forms a         pattern of a plurality of packaging wells in the material web,     -   a filling station, in which a product to be packaged is filled         into each packaging well,     -   a sealing station, which integrally bonds an upper material web         to the material web, wherein, prior to the integral bond being         made, the packaging well is degassed and/or gassed, and     -   a cutting device, which separates the packagings thus produced         from the material webs,         wherein the packaging machine has a gassing and/or a degassing         means, with which the individual packaging wells within a         pattern can be gassed and/or degassed individually, at least in         part.

The present invention relates to a packaging machine. This packaging machine is preferably what is known as an FFS packaging machine, that is to say what is known as a form-fill-seal packaging machine.

With a packaging machine of this type, a material web is transported cyclically along the packaging machine. With each cycle, a pattern consisting of a plurality of packaging wells is formed in a material web, generally a plastic film web, for example by means of thermoforming, and, once the respective packaging well has been filled with a product to be packaged, the packaging wells are closed in a sealing station with an upper material web, which is generally likewise a plastic film web. Here, the upper material web is integrally bonded, in particular by means of sealing, to the lower material web. Before this connection, the packaging wells are now degassed and/or gassed in accordance with the invention, wherein, in the case of the degassing process, a certain vacuum, that is to say a certain negative pressure, is generated in the packaging well. In the event of a gassing process, a gas exchange takes place in the packaging well, that is to say the atmosphere of the packaging well is replaced at least in part by an exchange gas. This gas exchange may follow a degassing of the packaging well. The exchange gas may be, for example, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon or oxygen or a mixture of these or of other gases. Once the upper material web has been arranged in an integrally bonded manner on the lower material web, the packagings thus finished are then separated from the material web. Here, the upper material web can be severed separately from the lower material web. It is also possible however to sever the two material webs at the same time.

In accordance with the invention, the packaging machine comprises a gassing and/or a degassing means, with which the individual packaging wells within a pattern can be gassed and/or degassed individually, at least in part. It is preferably possible to gas and/or degas each packaging well differently. It is thus possible to take account of the conditions prevailing individually in the respective packaging well. As a result, the degassing and/or gassing time can be reduced and/or the volume that is removed from the packaging well in event of degassing or that is blown into the packaging well in the event of gassing can be reduced. The respective packagings can thus be produced more cost-effectively and/or more quickly and/or with higher quality. Furthermore, the negative pressure generated in the respective packaging well or the quantity of gas fed to the respective packaging well can be determined and protocolled precisely, which may be of great significance in the case of quality monitoring.

The gassing and degassing means are preferably provided as one unit.

As already mentioned above, during each cycle, a plurality of packaging wells are formed in the lower material web, are filled and are then closed. A pattern of this type has at least one column, wherein a column has a plurality of packaging wells arranged transverse to the direction of transport of the lower material web. A pattern of this type preferably has a plurality of columns of this type, which are arranged in succession based on the direction of transport of the lower material web. A pattern additionally has a plurality of rows of packaging wells, which are arranged parallel to the direction of transport of the lower material web.

Now, a shut-off member, for example a valve, is preferably provided in the gassing and/or in the degassing means per packaging well, per row and/or per column within a pattern. With this shut-off member, it is possible for example to individually determine the gas volume that is removed from the packaging well or that is blown into the packaging well.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the packaging machine has a measurement means, preferably a measurement means per packaging well, a measurement means per row and/or a measurement means per column within a pattern, with which the pressure and/or the concentration of at least one gas component in the packaging well(s) can be determined.

Furthermore, the packaging machine according to the invention is preferably provided with a controller, which for example controls the shut-off member. In particular, this control process takes place on the basis of one or more signals of the measurement means.

Furthermore, the packaging machine according to the invention preferably has a means with which the fill level of the product to be packaged in the respective packaging well and/or the filling capacity of the product to be packaged within the respective packaging well can be determined. For example, the shut-off member can again be controlled in accordance with this measurement signal in order to individually control the gas volume that is removed from or fed to the respective packaging well.

The gassing and/or degassing means is preferably an exchange part that is exchanged in the event of a pattern change. Due to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is possible in the event of a pattern change to likewise exchange the gassing and/or degassing means so that a gassing and/or degassing means adapted to the respective pattern can be used. The gassing or degassing means is preferably provided on the packaging machine according to the invention by means of a quick-release fastener.

The present invention further relates to a method for producing a packaging, in which a material web is transported cyclically along a packaging machine and, during each cycle, a pattern of a plurality of packaging wells is formed in the material web and the packaging wells are then filled with a product to be packaged, and an upper material web is then sealed onto the packaging well, wherein, before the sealing operation, the packaging wells are degassed and/or a gas exchange is carried out, and in which the packaging wells within a pattern are each degassed and/or gassed individually, at least in part.

The statements made with regard to the packaging machine according to the invention apply equally to the method according to the invention, and vice versa.

In accordance with the method according to the invention, it is possible to degas and/or gas each of the respective packaging wells within a pattern at least in part.

The quantity of gas and/or the negative pressure that is generated in or fed to the respective packaging well is preferably controlled.

The inventions will be explained hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. These explanations are merely exemplary and do not limit the general concept of the invention. The explanations apply equally to all aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows the packaging machine according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the sealing station of the packaging machine according to the invention.

FIG. 3 shows the degassing and/or gassing means of the sealing station according to FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 shows the packaging machine 1 according to the invention, which has a thermoforming station 2, a filling station 7, and also a sealing station 19. A material web 8, in this case a plastic film web 3, or what is known as the lower web, is drawn off from a supply roll and is transported along the packaging machine according to the invention from right to left, cyclically. During one cycle, the material web 8 is transported over a pattern length. For this purpose, the packaging machine has two transport means, in the present case two endless chains, which are arranged to the right and left of the film web. Both at the start and at the end of the packaging machine, at least one gearwheel is provided for each chain, about which the respective chain is returned. At least one of these gearwheels is driven. The gearwheels in the entry region and/or in the exit region can be interconnected, preferably by means of a rigid shaft. Each transport means has a multiplicity of clamping means, which clamp the material web 8 in the intake region and transmit the movement of the transport means onto the lower film 8. In the discharge region of the packaging machine, the clamped connection between the transport means and the material web 8 is released again. In the thermoforming station 2, which has an upper tool 3 and a lower tool 4, which has the shape of the packaging well to be produced, the packaging wells 6 are formed in the film web 8. The lower tool 4 is arranged on a lift table 5, which, as indicated by a double-headed arrow, is vertically adjustable. The lower tool 4 is lowered before the film is advanced and is then raised again. In the further course of the packaging machine, the packaging wells are then filled in the filling station 7 with the product to be packaged 16. In the adjoining sealing station 19, which likewise consists of an upper tool 12 and a vertically adjustable lower tool 11, an upper film 14 is integrally bonded to the material web 8, preferably by means of sealing. In the sealing station too, the upper tool and/or the lower tool are lowered and raised before and after each transport phase of the film respectively. Before the upper film 1 is sealed to the lower film 8, a certain negative pressure is generated in the filled packaging well and/or a gas exchange is carried out. The generation of the negative pressure and/or the gas exchange is preferably implemented whilst the respective packaging well is located within the sealing station, preferably immediately prior to the sealing tools 11, 12 being pressed against one another. The upper film 14 can be guided in transport means or transported by transport chains, wherein these transport means then extend only from the sealing station and downstream where necessary. Otherwise, the statements made regarding the transport means of the lower film are applicable. In the further course of the packaging machine, the finished packagings are separated, which occurs in the present case by means of the transverse cutter 25 and the longitudinal cutter 27. The transverse cutter 25 can likewise be lifted and lowered in the present case by means of a lifting device 9.

FIG. 2 shows the sealing station of the packaging machine according to the invention, in which an upper film web is sealed onto the filled packaging wells 6. The packaging wells not yet closed by a cover film are provided with the reference sign 6, and the packaging wells already closed are provided with the reference sign 6′. It can likewise be inferred from the illustration according to FIG. 2 that this packaging machine operates cyclically, wherein, during each cycle, a pattern 15, which in the present case consists of three rows 24 and three columns 18 of packaging wells, is transported further by a certain amount, in particular along the length of the pattern 15. The direction of transport is indicated by an arrow. Before the respective packaging well is closed by the cover film, air is sucked from the packaging wells in accordance with the invention. This is achieved in the present case by means of a degassing means 17. This degassing means 17 is designed in accordance with the invention such that the gas volume that is removed from the respective packaging well can be controlled individually. Furthermore, the packaging machine according to the invention in the present case has a gassing means 13 that can be formed identically or similarly to the degassing means 17. It is also possible however to carry out the degassing and the gassing using the same means. In the case of the gassing means too, it is possible to individually adjust the quantity of gas fed to the respective packaging well and/or the gas composition fed to the respective packaging well. The gassing and/or degassing means may also be provided however such that only the rows or columns within a pattern are gassed and/or degassed individually, that is to say the packaging wells in the respective row or the respective column are treated identically.

FIG. 3 shows details of the degassing and/or gassing means 17, 13. This is provided in the present case in the form of a tree 20 having a plurality of branches, wherein in the present case one branch is provided per column. A person skilled in the art understands that, for example, it is also possible to provide a branch per row. In the present case, each packaging well is assigned a nozzle 21, which is arranged downstream of a valve 22 such that the quantity of gas that is removed from or fed to the respective packaging well is individually adjustable. The valve 22 is preferably controlled by a controller. This controller can be provided such that the valve 22 is merely opened or closed. The controller may, however, also be provided such that the negative pressure at which the gas volume is sucked up from the respective packaging well or the overpressure at which the exchange gas is blown into the packaging well can be adjusted by means of the valve 22. The packaging machine according to the invention preferably has one measurement means per packaging well, for example a pressure sensor and/or a sensor with which at least the concentration of a gas component of the gas within the packaging well can be determined. The valve 22 is preferably controlled on the basis of this signal.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 packaging machine -   2 thermoforming station -   3 upper tool of the thermoforming station -   4 lower tool of the thermoforming station -   5 lift table, support of a tool of the sealing station,     thermoforming station and/or of the cutting device -   6, 6′ packaging well -   7 filling station -   8 lower material web, lower film web -   9 lifting direction -   10 frame -   11 lower tool of the sealing station -   12 upper tool of the sealing station -   13 gassing means, gassing nozzle -   14 upper material web, upper film web, cover film -   15 pattern -   16 product to be packaged -   17 degassing means -   18 column -   19 sealing station -   20 gassing tree, degassing tree -   21 nozzle -   22 valve -   23 direction of flow -   24 row -   23 cutting device -   26 inlet region -   27 longitudinal cutter 

1. A packaging machine in which a material web is transported cyclically, comprising a thermoforming station, which, during each cycle, forms a pattern of a plurality of packaging wells in the material web, a filling station, in which a product to be packaged is filled into each packaging well, a sealing station, which integrally bonds an upper material web to the material web, wherein, prior to the integral bond being made, the packaging well is degassed and/or gassed, and a cutting device, which separates the packagings thus produced from the material webs, wherein the packaging machine has a gassing means and/or a degassing means, with which the individual packaging wells within a patter can be individually gassed and/or degassed. 2-10. (canceled)
 11. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gassing means and the degassing means are provided in one unit.
 12. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein one shut-off member is provided in the gassing means and/or in the degassing means per packaging well, per row and/or per column within a pattern.
 13. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein one shut-off member is provided in the gassing means and/or in the degassing means per packaging well, per row and/or per column within a pattern.
 14. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein it has a measurement means, preferably per packaging well, per row and/or per column within a pattern, with which the pressure and/or the concentration of at least one gas component in the packaging well(s) can be determined.
 15. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the packaging machine has a measurement means, per packaging well, per row, and/or per column within a pattern, with which the pressure and/or the concentration of at least one gas component in the packaging well(s) can be determined.
 16. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the packaging machine has a measurement means, per packaging well, per row, and/or per column within a pattern, with which the pressure and/or the concentration of at least one gas component in the packaging well(s) can be determined.
 17. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 12, wherein it has a controller which controls the shut-off members, preferably on the basis of a signal of the measurement means.
 18. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein the packaging machine has a controller which controls the shut-off members, preferably on the basis of a signal of the measurement means.
 19. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein it has a means with which the fill level of the product to be packaged in the respective packaging well is established.
 20. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein it has a means with which the fill level of the product to be packaged in the respective packaging well is established.
 21. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the packaging machine has a means with which the fill level of the product to be packaged in the respective packaging well is established.
 22. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the packaging machine has a means with which the fill level of the product to be packaged in the respective packaging well is established.
 23. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 19, wherein the controller controls the shut-off member on the basis of the respective fill level in the packaging well.
 24. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 21, wherein the controller controls the shut-off member on the basis of the respective fill level in the packaging well.
 25. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 22, wherein the controller controls the shut-off member on the basis of the respective fill level in the packaging well.
 26. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gassing means and/or degassing means is an exchange part that can be exchanged in the event of a pattern change.
 27. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 24, wherein the gassing means and/or degassing means is an exchange part that can be exchanged in the event of a pattern change.
 28. A method for producing a packaging, in which a material web is transported cyclically along a packaging machine and, during each cycle, a pattern of a plurality of packaging wells is formed in the material web and the packaging wells are then filled with a product to be packaged, and an upper material web is then sealed onto the packaging wells, wherein, before the sealing operation, the packaging wells are degassed and/or a gas exchange is carried out, wherein the packaging wells within a pattern are each degassed and/or gassed individually.
 29. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the quantity of gas and/or the negative pressure in the respective packaging well can be controlled. 